Friday, October 5, 2012
Obama orders improvements in mental health care
Posted by Linda H on 5:40:00 AM
President Obama plans to sign an executive order today aimed at reducing the rate of suicide and mental health disorders in veterans and troops by improving access to behavioral health care.
The order, to be announced during a presidential visit to Fort Bliss, Texas, will direct cabinet agencies including the departments of Veterans Affairs, Defense and Health and Human Services and Education, to expand suicide prevention efforts, fill vacancies for mental health jobs and widen outreach to service members and veterans.
The executive order, “Improving Access to Mental Health Services for Veterans, Service Members and Military Families,” includes actions to improve access to mental health services for service members and veterans, including enhanced partnerships with community providers and increased VA staffing; and mental health research, a senior White House official said.
Under the order, VA must expand its veterans’ crisis line capability by 50 percent by Dec. 31 and ensure that veterans who identify as being a danger to themselves or others connect with a trained mental health professional within 24 hours.
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